Car & Classic Dealer

Julian Brown Classic Car Commissions

Park House, Frieston, Grantham, Lincs

NG32 3DA

Lotus Elan Sprint 1972 Drophead Coupe £35k Spent Owned 1981 SOLD

1972 K Lotus Elan Sprint Drophead Coupe. Gold Leaf Team Lotus Formula One Racing Colour Scheme. Owned since 1981, detailed receipts for just under £35, 000 spent since 2003 at three different well known Lotus Specialists including a full mechanical rebuild including engine, gearbox, differential, and suspension as well as rewire, interior refresh, and new hood. Various other jobs including installing twin USB and Cigarette Lighter Sockets, a Tadpole original looking but "modern inside" DAB radio with CD changer in the boot was installed and Len Chandler (a Lotus steering wheel expert) rebuilt and recovered the Colin Chapman signed steering wheel in leather. The chassis was replaced in 2003 with a genuine Lotus chassis to replace the previous Spyder chassis replaced in the 1980's.

Carnival Red, White and Gold Coachwork (John Player Gold Leaf, the same as Graham Hill’s 1969 Type 49 winning F1 car) with Black Interior, Convertible Roof and Tonneau Cover. A rare original Split Full Tonneau is also included for when the roof is down.

DRM 130K, Registered 4th January 1972, Owned since 30th November 1981, 3 Former Keepers, the previous keeper only owned it for 3 months in 1981. Road Tax and M. O. T. Test Exempt, Last M. O. T tested in 2017 at 86, 213 miles.

86, 425 miles, Chassis Number the details belowG = 71 Year, 11 Month, 26 Batch, 0566 Unit, G Drophead Coupe, Engine Number N25272 = Big Valve Weber.

The long term owner has kept it as a car he could take anywhere and has stored it in a central London motor car storage business, it would pass muster at a show, without having to worry like if it were a 100 point "trailer queen". The paint is 12 years old (except redone bumpers and stripes) and one will find a few minor marks, scratches and chips, most could easily be touched in, from ten feet it still looks pretty much perfect, especially the red which shows no signs of fading being always garaged. There is obviously no rust on the body due to it being fibreglass. The interior looks pretty good considering quite a lot of it is original with no real wear, the replacement wood dashboard is as new. Under the bonnet the new foam rubbers, the cardboard air deflector in front of the radiator, air box, washer bag and overflow bottle etc. are all present and correct. The original fan was retained in case someone wants to replace the modern one and it has been converted to use an alternator. The doughnuts were swapped out for solid driveshafts and all the original bits are retained along with some spares. The rebuilt engine starts easily and sounds superb, especially under load. A charging point for modern necessities was added under the (new cardboard) glovebox when the specialist did the rewire. There is also a semi fitted green indoor car cover and it runs on 98 RON Unleaded Petrol Fuel, genuine Lotus Kangol Seat Belts are fitted. The new hood was fitted 2, 000 miles ago. The fuel tank was recently replaced as well as powder coating the wheels and fitting correct Michelin Tyres. It has also had the vacuum tanks replaced, a new windscreen, starter motor, fuel pump and service prior to sale. The underside looks even better than from above, there is no dirt and no corrosion to the chassis, one can see instantly where money has been spent. Recent New Battery, Spark Plugs and Sidelight Lenses.

These Elans are known as a Lotus Type 45, these were initially marketed as the Elan S4 then, later, in this higher performance model, marketed as the Elan Sprint. Updates include a more powerful 126 bhp 1, 558cc "Big Valve" engine, standard two-tone colour scheme to mimic John Player Gold Leaf cigarette racing sponsorship graphics, differential strengthening brace, hazard lights, ignition key steering lock and twin Weber carburettors.

The Elan was Britain’s pre-eminent 1960’s sports car. The genius that was Colin Chapman, aided by a talented small team of designers, notably Ron Hickman, had conceived the Elan in 1962 as a replacement for the Elite. The imaginatively designed backbone chassis, brilliant suspension and sparkling twin cam engine, allied to a pretty lightweight body, combined to make a winning car, successful not only amongst the discerning motoring public, but also on the track. The Sprint has become one of the more sought after Elan types and they are relatively few in number. At approximately 680 kg the Elan embodied Chapman's minimum weight design philosophy. The Elan was technologically advanced with a DOHC 1, 558 cc engine, four-wheel disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, and 4-wheel independent suspension. Gordon Murray, designer of the McLaren F1 supercar, reportedly said that his only disappointment with the McLaren F1 was that he could not give it the perfect steering of the Lotus Elan. In 2004, Sports Car International named the Elan number six on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s. Classic and Sportscar Magazine in 2018 voted the Elan as the 4th greatest ever drivers car.

Harry Metcalfe of Evo and Harry’s Garage Fame has owned a Sprint for a long period and uploaded a superb video on both YouTube channels, please view this for further information and a road test, you will be shocked by his praise for these “Bundles of Energy” Elans when you see what other motor cars he has privately owned and still owns.

The Elan was widely admired and praised by customers and reviewers, noted for its exceptional handling, roadholding, steering, acceleration, braking and comfort which allowed for high average speeds. It embarrassed almost every other supercar at the time in terms of outright acceleration up to about 90 mph with zero weight transfer in corners.

The sprint was a superb design for the period, faster acceleration than any E-Type Jaguar and more legroom enabling drivers over 6 feet tall to sit in comfort, it even has electric windows and pop up headlights.

Jim Clark the Formula One World Champion who drove for Team Lotus said in period “I drive my Lotus Elan for pleasure not because I have to.”

This Motor Car can be viewed by prior appointment at our premises near Lincoln, with good access from the A1 Road and the London to Edinburgh Mainline Railway. It has been enthusiast owned by the long term owner.

Price £43, 995 FIXED, NO OFFERS

Julian Brown Classic Car Commissions specialise in sales and sourcing of Rolls–Royce, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz motor cars, we will however sell or source any Motor Car or Automobilia item on your behalf with the sale of motor cars starting from 3% all in. We are privileged to offer this fine Lotus for sale on behalf of its owner, for further information please telephone or send a message via this advert.

We also offer Secure, Dry and Discreet Indoor Car Storage 7 Miles from Lincoln City Station which is connected to London Kings Cross and St. Pancras with easy access from the A1 Road. Located on a private country estate with C. C. T. V. and Electric Gated Access we offer the perfect location for storing your motor car from 1 Week to Long Term continuous storage, your car can be laid up or exercised on lovely quiet rural Lincolnshire country lanes and looked after by ourselves, rates start from £10 per week, please contact us for further information.

Please see our other items for more Motor Cars and Automobilia items.

Please note this Motor Car can be viewed strictly by prior appointment.

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